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Pakistan court frees convicted former PM Sharif

Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been released from prison after a court suspended his sentence of 10 years in jail over corruption charges.

The Islamabad High Court made the decision after Sharif petitioned to appeal his sentence. Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law were released on Wednesday night.
A large crowd of supporters gathered to receive them.

Tax evasion and other allegations against Sharif surfaced following a massive leak of documents known as the Panama Papers.

Sharif was in London at the time of the ruling in July, citing his wife’s ill health. He was arrested on his return to Pakistan.

The court has not said why it freed Sharif. Prosecutors say they will appeal the ruling and take the case to the Supreme Court.